AMI Semi, MagnaChip Team for Medical Apps

Online staff -- Electronic News, 11/4/2005

To address the need for the specialized manufacturing approach for next-generation medical devices, such as those used for neurostimulation in pain management, spinal cord injuries and epileptic seizures, Pocatello, Idaho-based structured ASIC provider AMI Semiconductor and MagnaChip Semiconductor, headquartered in Seoul, Korea, today said they have formed a development and foundry relationship focused on this area.

Their joint work is focused on 0.18-micron technology platforms targeted at medical applications requiring ultra-low power and robust non-volatile memory solutions with initial process development to take place in MagnaChip’s manufacturing facility in Cheongju, Korea, where employees from both companies will qualify the process, the companies explained.

By bridging the abilities of both companies, MagnaChip and AMI believe they are suited to provide complete design-to-manufacture service for a variety of highly technical next generation medical technologies that demand ultra-low power capability to extend device battery life; increased functionality; memory for increased computational demand; and ultra-high reliability. Other key medical market segments, including cardiac rhythm management and continuous glucose monitoring, will also benefit from these new technology platforms, they said.

The combination of high gate count with mixed-signal technology to be included on these platforms may also find use in other core markets such as automotive and industrial, with the new process to support low power usage and high reliability in harsh conditions.

“We are excited to begin this development project with MagnaChip, combining their expertise in deep submicron process technology with our proven, high reliability CMOS technology,” said Chris King, president and CEO for AMI, in a statement.

“We believe that this relationship will benefit the entire AMI business, providing our business units the ability to design ICs with high gate counts, as well as offering turn-key customers the next-generation, specialized process technology required to produce robust solutions for demanding automotive, medical and industrial applications,” he added.

AMI and MagnaChip expect to provide supporting design libraries and IP late this year, with pilot production at MagnaChip’s Cheongju facility starting in Q2 2006.